Few persons would be disposed to think, on reviewing the preceding distribution of his time, that Mr. Buchanan had at this early period of his academical course assigned too small a portion to studies directly connected with his future profession. This is, however, the reflection which he immediately suggests to his friend; expressing his fears, which were certainly groundless, lest his patron should say, that he had not sent him to Cambridge to learn geometry; and, above all, lest the science which he was thus diligently pursuing should not ultimately reward him. It would, indeed, he says, be distressing to him, to appear unqualified for his office as a preacher; "but then I hope," he adds, "I shall "make more commendable proficiency in my divine studies "when I undertake them. This hope alone enables me to "persevere in my present course."

The observations which follow in the same letter are too valuable to be omitted.

"I apprehend," continues Mr. Buchanan," that a stu"dent should labour as for his daily bread; not choosing the "study he may like best, for then it would be no labour, but

"learning the great lesson of self-denial by taking up the "study he likes least, if it be best for him. If I can by "nine hours study a day serve my heavenly Master as faith"fully as I served Mr. D. I think he will give me my hire. "You cannot be surprised if sometimes I have my doubts, "when I see the other serious students walking in a path "directly contrary. All of them, I think, but one, (Mr. C.) "have followed their own inclinations in this matter; and, "in opposition to the advice of the experienced servants of "God, have substituted divinity in lieu of mathematics. The "reason they give is, that they do not see it to be so and Yet it is worthy of remark, that they do not appear "to bring forth the fruits that might be expected in those "very studies they love. I do not think that they live "nearer to God for it, or make such proficiency as students "earnest in their work should do. For myself, I know not "what is best. Mr. C. the mathematical divine, has a more "heavenly deportment than any of them. This they ac"knowledge, though it is somewhat of a paradox to them; but "I think it will be solved to some of them ere long. I am in"clined to believe, that were I an eminent saint, I should be “a good mathematician, a good linguist, a good scripturist. !

* 80.

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"I hope that the Lord is leading us all in the right path, ❝and directing us individually to those studies which he sees "necessary for the station he intends we shall fill; and if "any of us undertake an improper study from improper "motives, or a proper study at an improper time, like no❝vices depending on our own judgment, I trust that we shall "learn by it a lesson more useful than any study-a know"ledge of ourselves, and of our inability to do any thing "aright, much less to conduct such an important undertaking as the studies of a disciple of Christ.

"I should be exceedingly thankful for any hint that may ❝ occasionally occur to you respecting the government of "myself, and of my studies. The price which I have paid for the little wisdom I have obtained is very dear. Gladly "then would I listen to the voice of experience."

It might perhaps be expected, after such evident proofs of the enlarged, yet pious and temperate views which Mr.

Buchanan entertained respecting the pursuit of human learning, that he would have been advised to continue his course patiently and uninterruptedly. The peculiar circumstances, however, of his case, and even the chastised ardour with which he appeared to be animated in his academical studies, excited some apprehensions in the mind of the venerable friend whose advice he had solicited, and induced him to suggest some modification of the plan which he had himself originally approved. The particular grounds of his opinion can only now be conjectured from the tenor of Mr. Buchanan's reply; which enters with so much judgment and feeling into this interesting subject, that the insertion of the greater part of it will scarcely be deemed superfluous.

"I was in earnest," he begins, "when in my last I so❝licited your advice and direction; and because I was in "earnest, I think that your letter will be accompanied with "a blessing to me.

"Your jealousy lest my heart might be gradually attached "to our academical studies, awakened my fears, and I "prayed for divine aid while I scrutinized myself and my ❝views; and now I must candidly acknowledge, that I be"lieve your doubts to be well founded; I believe that you "are right, and that many of my friends here are wrong; I

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say I believe it, for as yet I am not sure: you and they "view me in a different light; hence arises this difference ❝of opinion relating to the plan of my studies. These gen❝tlemen, not only bred at this University, but anxious for "its fame, and still more for that of the religious students in "it, are desirous, that we should excel in the studies of the "place, that we may, as it were, shed some lustre (in the "eyes of men) on that Gospel which the learned despise. "The grand argument we use against infidels, who deride "the truth as being only professed by men of weak judg"ment, is to point out some learned Christian, (if such can "be found;) and then say with St. Paul, (Are you a He"brew? so am I,') Are you a mathematician? so is he. "Are you a classic, a historian? so is he. What are you? he "is all that; but he is something more. Now it is natural

❝to adopt such an argument when we can. On this account "these gentlemen are eager to incline the serious young "men to the studies of the University, which they therefore "represent as being not only ornamental but useful. Now "this may be good advice to a young man who has many "years before him, and expects to reside as a Fellow of a "college, and preach occasionally at the University Church. "But I am not of this description; yet they look upon me "as one who is to grow old in their own family; which is as "improbable as I am averse to it. It was but the other day "that one of my friends hinted to me, that it would be worth "my while to change my college, that I might have a good "Fellowship as a reward for my exertions. I am frequently “addressed in such words as these. Do pray persevere in

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your reading; devote your evening and morning hour "to your closet, but give the rest of the day to the studies "of the place. Nothing can redound more to the credit "of the Gospel. The most holy conduct will not here avail "so much as that. Besides, you will be amply repaid by "your rapid progress, when you begin your professional "studies.' And now that my college has given me both an "exhibition and a scholarship, they say, Did we not tell

you so? You see that religion and diligence in academical "study are mutual helps to each other.' If I have been allur"ed by such speeches from those who are superior to my"self in knowledge and experience, is it wonderful ?

"This then is their mistake. They address me as if I "were always to reside among them, and to remain an ex"ample either of learning or ignorance. As a young enthu"siast, they consider themselves responsible for me to the "University.

"On the other hand, you view me as having come to the "University, not so much to qualify myself for the ministry, "as to pave the way for my ordination, and think it of little "import whether my name were ever heard in Cambridge ❝or not. If this is right, their arguments are mostly out of ❝place. Mr. approaches more nearly to your senti"ments than any of them.

"I shall now give you the result of my own deliberations "on the subject. Rather than you should have a moment's "uneasiness lest the purity of my heart should be tainted "by mathematics, I would throw every mathematical book "I have into the fire, and make them a funeral pile to the "manes of your jealousy. For compared with the word of "truth, they are as dross to fine gold. In a certain degree "they may be useful, and to that degree I would desire "them; and I hope to be led so far, and no farther. At first "I disliked them; but considering them as a nauseous medi"cine which might do me some good, I took them up. You "too bade me. After a while, they became more palatable, "and at length a pleasing study. For this I was exceed❝ingly thankful, as they were in the way of my duty. But "now as I have arrived at a certain length in them, and ❝ have in view very soon to enter on an important office which "requires much preparation, I think it will be right—not to "relinquish them wholly; I do not mean that: but so to cir"cumscribe them, and my other academical exercises, as to "afford me a considerable proportion of the day (the half if "possible) for the preparation of the Gospel of peace.'

"I do not mean to put this sudden resolution into practice, ❝till I know whether it be right. From some experience I "know myself to be weak, injudicious, inconstant, changeable. "I shall therefore prosecute my studies as usual, till I hear "from you. Having acquired somewhat of a reputation for "my attention to college studies, if I can preserve it, it will ❝be a desirable thing. If not, I cannot help it; I willingly "sacrifice it to a better name.'

"You do me great honour in the proposal you have made. "I would rather serve you in your old age than a sceptre"bearing king. But I much fear that my services at so "early a period will be weak and inadequate. It is like "taking a babe out of his cradle, to support the steps of his "aged parent. But I am in God's hands: whatever he sees "fit for me to do, I hope he will incline my heart, and en"able me to do it. But as I cannot expect that he will work "a miracle by qualifying me for his service at once, it is